London Assurance
by Dion Boucicault
2 - 11 July 2015
Sir Harcourt Courtly is lured away from the epicentre of fashionable London by the promise of a rich and beautiful bride, Grace, several decades his junior. Arriving at Oak Hall, Gloucestershire, he marvels at this rural Venus until her charms are eclipsed by her hearty cousin, the foxhunting Lady Gay Spanker. Meanwhile his disguised son turns up in flight from his creditors and falls head over heels for Grace. When Lady Spanker discovers the young couple, she needs little prompting from the visiting chancer Dazzle to lead Sir Harcourt astray.
'The whole show is a delight from start to finish.' The Daily Telegraph
'...deliriously funny...' The Independent
Jekyll and Hyde
by Leonard H Caddy
28 May - 6 June 2015
In this retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous story, Dr. Jekyll is introduced just as he is on the brink of discovering the key to man's inner reality. One evening he experiments on himself and finds that his formula works. Unfortunately, his 'real' self turns out to be the monster Edward Hyde. Jekyll continues his researches, spending more and more time as Hyde until this horrifying character takes over. Jekyll's fiancée and friends slowly become aware of the changes in him but are powerless to help. Jekyll himself finds it more and more difficult to keep Hyde at bay, and his initial delight soon turns to despair. When Hyde brutally murders one of the young maids, he realizes his experiment has gone too far, and he takes the only possible course of action left to him.
Glorious!
by Peter Quilter
16 - 25 April 2015
The joyful Florence Foster Jenkins had a passion for singing, but a voice of disastrous proportions which left audiences crying with laughter. Spinning from her bizarre recording sessions, unbelievable recitals and an ultimate triumph at New York's Carnegie Hall – this is a true, heart-warming story about a group of eccentric friends who embraced their delusions and lived their dreams.
The original West End production starred Maureen Lipman and was nominated for an Olivier Award as Best New Comedy.
'Comically sublime' The Guardian
'A lunatically funny play that will keep you very happy... A glittering comedy with a heart.' Sunday Times
Anne Boleyn
by Howard Brenton
12 - 21 March 2015
A celebration of a great English heroine, Anne Boleyn dramatises the life and legacy of Henry VIII's notorious second wife, who helped change the course of the nation's history.
Traditionally seen as either the pawn of an ambitious family manoeuvred into the King's bed or as a predator manipulating her way to power, Anne – and her ghost – are seen in a very different light in Howard Brenton's epic play.
Rummaging through the dead Queen Elizabeth's possessions upon coming to the throne in 1603, King James I finds alarming evidence that Anne was a religious conspirator, in love with Henry VIII but also with the most dangerous ideas of her day. She comes alive for him, a brilliant but reckless young woman confident in her sexuality, whose marriage and death transformed England for ever.
'What an absolute delight... a beautifully written piece of theatre...' Whatsonstage.com
A Fine Bright Day Today
by Philip Goulding
5 - 14 February 2015
This is a warm and gently funny play about love, loss and second chances. Milton, an American artist, is visiting a quiet English seaside town to paint the local coastline. He rents a room in a small cottage belonging to Margaret, a woman for whom life has stood still since the death of her trawlerman husband 30 years previously. Over several weeks of shared stories, meals and bottles of wine, an unexpected mutual bond slowly draws them closer together. But can Margaret find the courage to leave the safety of her little equilibrium and take a risk on love?
'... an enticing piece of understated but effective writing. Leaves you with an optimistic sense that everyone deserves a second chance at happiness.' The Guardian
Time and The Conways
by J B Priestley
8 - 17 January 2015
The Conways are having a party to celebrate Kay's twenty first birthday. Kay hopes to be a novelist. Hazel, the beauty, anticipates a romantic marriage. Madge wants to reform the world and marry the dashing young family lawyer. Carol, the baby of the family, spreads good cheer while Robin, back from war, is certain to have a good career. Alan is content to be an armchair philosopher. The mother has high hopes for them all. At the party Kay, with frightening clarity, sees her family twenty years in the future. They are petty, mean, and unfulfilled. Only Kay and her calm brother realise time is relative and there is something fine and worthwhile beyond.
The Flint Street Nativity
by Tim Firth
27 November - 6 December 2014
The children are played by adults in this warm, witty and funny play. Mizzis Horrocks' class of seven year olds is about to perform their nativity play at Flint Street Junior School for the proud mums and dads – and the occasional social worker. Squabbles arise when Gabriel wants to play Mary, the Star grumbles he's not a proper star like they have at NASA, Herod won't stop waving to his mum and dad and the subversive Innkeeper is determined to liven up the traditional script. And then the stick insect escapes...
'There are moments where you may wet yourself laughing.' The Guardian
'... you have to be there to appreciate how the humour, from puns and slapstick to witty lyrics, is a perfect balance for the pathos.' The Stage
Journey's End
by R. C. Sherriff
20 – 27 September 2014
March 1918: A newly qualified 18-year-old Lieutenant Raleigh has joined the company of his childhood friend and cricketing hero, Captain Stanhope. But three years on the front line have driven Stanhope to routinely drink himself into oblivion to cope with the harrowing effects of war, a cause for concern amongst his fellow officers and a far cry from the boy Raleigh once knew. Set in the four anxious days leading up to an attack on German trenches, this powerful, compelling and moving drama has been chosen to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
"The greatest of all war plays" Daily Express
The Ladykillers
by Graham Linehan
23 October - 1 November 2014
In this classic black comedy, a recent hit in the West End, five criminals posing as musicians take up lodgings in the lopsided old house of Mrs Wilberforce to plan a heist. Led by Professor Marcus, everything goes according to plan, right up until Mrs Wilberforce discovers the money and threatens to call the police. There's one obvious solution... but none of the crooks want to be the one to bump her off. As the night progresses, a dangerous game begins as the men try to escape with the money – and their lives. Who would think one sweet little old lady could cause so much trouble?
'A joy from start to finish.' Daily Express
'The show works and, at its considerable best, works triumphantly.' The Daily Telegraph